All forms of Advil® are effective at fighting tough pain– when used as directed.
Tablets are the original round form of Advil®, which has been trusted by millions for over 30 years. Oblong-shaped Advil® are called caplets — which are also available with a gel coating (gel caps) to make them easier to swallow.
Determining which Advil® is right for you depends on your pain relief needs and personal preference.
Advil® Liqui-Gels® are a liquid form of ibuprofen inside a gelatin capsule. This allows them to be absorbed into the body quickly and provide liquid fast pain relief.
Advil® Liqui-Gels® minis provide the same amount of ibuprofen (200mg ibuprofen), as Advil® Liqui-Gels®, in a 33% smaller capsule. So you get fast, powerful pain relief for your tough pains in an easier to swallow size.
Fast acting Advil® Film-Coated Tablets contain a Rapid Release Formula with a core of ibuprofen sodium – a salt form of ibuprofen that is much more soluble in water than standard ibuprofen. They are designed for fast absorption and fast relief.
There are also different forms of Advil® to treat your specific pain needs. Advil® Migraine is designed to work quickly and is clinically proven to combat migraine pain intensity, nausea and sensitivity to light and sound.

When you suffer from a headache, back pain, joint pain, or other injuries, your body increases production of chemicals called “prostaglandins,” which trigger pain signals.
Advil® temporarily blocks your body’s production of prostaglandins, thereby reducing the pain signals and relieving your pain at the source.
When used as directed, Advil® is tough on pain but gentle on your body. Advil® has been relieving pain for over 30 years, and is the #1 selling pain reliever in the world. In fact, the medicine in Advil is the #1 doctor recommended for pain relief among OTC pain relievers.

Most retailers (grocery stores, pharmacy, club and convenience stores) carry Advil® products. Check out our Where to Buy page to find a store near you or where to buy Advil® online.
As the manufacturer of Advil®, we do not set store-level pricing. However, you can visit Offers & Coupons on our site to save on your next purchase.

Talk to your doctor about getting samples of Advil®. If you’re a healthcare provider, you can request samples of Advil® for your patients, find coupons, and access data and other helpful resources here.

What is the difference between Advil® and other pain relievers? The pain reliever in Advil® is ibuprofen, which is part of a class of drugs called non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (also known as NSAIDs). You should also consider this: There are millions of potential pain points in your body. Advil works to stop pain right where it starts.
Having many options for your pain relief can be overwhelming. Your best option may depend on your specific pain needs and the advice of your doctor.
Any medication, including Advil®, may cause side effects. You should not take more than the recommended dose because it will increase the risk of side effects. To make sure you get the most benefit out of your medicine it’s important to take them responsibly, as directed by the label. You can also speak with a doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.
Patients and doctors have trusted Advil® to deliver fast and long-lasting relief from many kinds of acute pain: headache, muscle aches, minor arthritis and other joint pain, and backache. No other OTC pain reliever has been proven stronger or longer lasting on pain than Advil®.

Advil® products are available with child-resistant caps. For those who may suffer from joint pain, Advil® Tablets and Advil® Liqui-Gels® are also available with a non-child resistant, Easy Open Arthritis Cap. Since it is easier to open, make sure to keep the Easy Open Arthritis Cap products out of reach from children.

No. Single ingredient Advil® products do not contain an antihistamine. The active ingredient in Advil® is ibuprofen which is part of a class of drugs called NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs). Check out the Ingredients section of this FAQ to learn more about what is in Advil®. If you are interested in an antihistamine, check out our Advil® Cold & Allergy Products.

Advil® Liqui-Gels® have the same amount of pain reliever as original Advil® (200mg), but are made with solubilized ibuprofen – a liquid form of the pain reliever in Advil®. The liquid form allows them to be absorbed into the body quickly for fast pain relief.
How does this work? Let’s break it down. Before it can start working, a standard pill needs to dissolve, absorb and be distributed through your body.
The pain reliever in Advil® Liqui-Gels® is already dissolved in liquid within a soft gelatin capsule, so when it’s released in ibuprofen it is quickly absorbed and distributed for fast relief at the sight of pain.
In fact, nothing’s faster on tough pain than Advil® Liqui-Gels®.*
*Among OTC pain relievers.

Advil® Liqui-Gels® are solubilized ibuprofen inside a gelatin capsule (gel cap). Fast acting Advil® Film-Coated Tablets are a solid form of ibuprofen sodium. Both are designed for fast absorption and fast relief, so your decision on which to use is based on your preference.